Gravity-tank float device



Aug. 20, 1929. c. E. POTTER GRAVITY TANK FLOAT DEVICE Filed Jan. 2l, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l m .xf/J/ ,f Je l 7 ya Aug. 2G, 1929. Q E, POTTER A 1,725,293

GRAVITY TANK FLOAT DEVICE Allg. 20, 1929. C, E POTTER 1,725,208

GRAVITY TANK FLOAT DEVICE Filed Jan. 21, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 20, Q El POTTER 1,725,208

GRAVITY TANK FLOAT DEVICE Filed Jan. 2l, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 20, 1929. c. E. POTTER GRAVITY TANK FLOAT DEVICE lFiled Jan. 2l, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. POTTER, OF ST. LOUIS, MIS'SORI.

GRAVITY-TANK FLOAT DEVICE.

Application led January 21, 1928. Serial No. 248,437.

This invention relates to `new anduseful improvements in gravity tank oat devices, the objects ot' the invention being the provision of a float device having electrical switch operable by a oatable member dis.- posed in the tank whereby the electric signal circuit is controlled in accordance with the level of the liquid contained'in the tank.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a float device which can 'be readily attached to a tank, with the ioatable member disposed interiorly thereof, and with the elect-ric switch arranged exteriorly of said tank. The operative connection between said iioatable member and said switch being hermetically sealed to prevent leakage of the liquid contained in said tank.

Other objects of the invent-ion are to provide a single mounting for the oatable member and the switch mechanism, and to provide a ileXible sealed joint there between. Thus the positioning of the float device on the tank is lfacilitated and the switch mechanism and the electric circuit can be located exteriorlyl of the tank, without danger of leakage or of said switch mechanism coming in contact with the liquid contained in said tank. 1 y

Additional objects of the invention are to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the device of the class described and to provide a device which is effij cient and dependable in voperation and which can be readily attached in position.

lVit-h these and other objects in view, my invention consists of novel features of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which l Figure 1 is a vertical section through a tank showing the float device. attached thereto.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plane view ,of the float device.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the device showing` the floatable member in upward position.

Figure 4. is a similar view, but showing the iloatable member occupying. the depressed position. K

Figure 5 is an end elevation view partly broken away showing switch mechanism occupying position shown in Figure Figure 6 is a similar view, partly broken away showing the switch mechanismoccupying position corresponding to Figure 4.

Figure 7 isan end elevation showing the switch mechanism in neutral position.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the switch mechanism and showing they casing in horizontal cross section.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail cross-section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic View showing the electric connection between the central station and the switch.

Figure 11 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 11-11 of Figure 3.

Figure 12 is a cross-section taken. on line 1e 12 of Fig. 3.

Figure 13 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 13-13 of Figure 3.

Figure 14 is a vertical cross-section taken 0n line 1l-14 of Figure 3.

Figure 15 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 15415 of Figure 3.

The present invention is designed especially for use with automatic sprinkler systems to indicate the water level in the tank, and to send to central station a vsuitable signal indicating, either that the water level l dropped below a pre-determined point, or that the water level has been restored to normal level. The signal is set in Operation preferably by means of. an electric circuit which is controlled by a suitable switch mechanism. This switch mechanism is disposed on a suitable mounting and is operable by a ioatable member disposed in the tank.

Referring by numerals to the accompanyin drawings; 10, vindicates a tank which, in the present case, is of cylindrical shape having end walls 11. One of the end walls is provided `at a suitable height with a threaded opening 12, for the reception of the threaded plug 13 having a non-circular head- 11i. Threaded opening 12, and the threaded portion of plug 13 are tapered so as to provide a fluid tight joint when said plug is screwed in position.

This plug 13, is provided with a longitudinal bore 15, the inner end oit which is enlanged and threaded as indicated at 15a. A tubular member 16, is disposed in bore 15, and is provided with an enlarged threaded portion, 17, which is screw seated in threaded portion 15a, and nsecures said'tubular member in position in plug 13. The inne-r end of member 16, opens into the tank and is provided with a. pair of spaced vertically disposed lugs 18, which proj ect rearwardly from said end 17, and receive a horizontally disposed pin 19. v

A fioat 20, preferably in the form of an elongatedl hollow member, has a threaded extension, 20a, which is screw seated in the threaded end of al short arm 22. The opposite end of this arm is bifurcated as indicated at 23, to provide two parallel vertically disposed spaced portions 24, the ends of which are pivotally mounted on pin 19.

A pair of axially alined openings 25, is arranged horizontally in portions 24, at points spaced from pin 19. A lever 26, is'fulcrumed on a horizontally disposed pin 27, seated in spaced lugs 28. These lugs are formed ntegrally with the forward end of member 16, and project outwardly beyond the non-circular head 14, of'plug 13. The rear end 26a of lever 26, extends through tubular member 16, and projects into the tank and terminates between the bifurcated portions 23.

End 26a of lever 26 is provided with a horizontally disposed .aperture 29 through which extends a pin 30 which is seated in o ening 25. Aperture 29, which is prefera ly rectangular, is suiiiciently large relatively to pin 30 to provide operating clearness there between. A vertically disposed slot 31 is formed in end 262L inwardlyl of aperture 29 for receiving pin 19 which extends transversely through saidslot and is seated in lugs 18. This slot 31 is substantially concentric with fulcrum 27 and is of sufficient length to allow appropriate oscillatory movement of lever 26. A,

The opposite or forward end 26", of lever v 26, is comparatively short and has a threaded extension 32 for engaging a. centrally disposed threaded bore 33 formed on one side of a disk 34. The plane of this disk is disposed at right'angle to the axis of lever 26 and is substantially parallel with the outer face of head 14 when said lever occupies horizontal position.

In order to seal bore 1 5, of plug 13, and the outer end of tubular member 16, a flexible tubular member 35 is secured at its ends to the opposite faces of head 14 and disk 34 so as to hermetically seal the fulcrum 27 of lever 26 and the connect-ion between the ends 26b and disk 34. This member 35 is formed of a tube of metal circularly convoluted so as to provide a proper degree of flexibility necessary to allow the ends of the flexible member toy be angularly disposed relatively toeachother. One end of this flexible member number 35 is secured to the outer face of head by soldering or brazing and a ring 36 is fastened to said face by screws 37 yand clamps said end of member 35 there against so as to relieve the joint of strain. The other end of member 35 is soldered or brazed to the Thus lever 26 and the entrance to the tank are hermetically sealed and the motion of floatable member 20 is transmitted by means of disk 34 which is imperforate. By virtue of this construction it isnot necessary to provide any packing glands for any of the operating parts and the danger. of leakage is reduced to minimum.

This disk 34 and' flexible member 35 are enclosed by an open ended casing 40 which is secured at one end to head 14by screws 41. A transverse partition wall 40a is arranged in casing 40 at a point spaced appropriate distance from each end to form an inner chamber 42 containing disk 34 and member 35 and an outer chamber 43 containing switch mechanism 44. The outer chamber 43 is closed by a detachable cap which fits over the outer end of casing 40 and secured thereto by suitable fastening device 46. A

vcentral opening 49, through which projects into chamber 43 a pin 50. This pin is fastened to the outer face of disk 34 and extends axially therefrom in the direction opposite to lever 26. Opening 49 is large enough to freely accommodate said .pin 50 during its oscillatory movement produced when disk 34 is actuated by lever 26.

The projecting end of pin 50 is disposed in an opening 51 formed in a horizontally disposed oscillatory plate 52. Said plate is pivotally mounted/at 53 to one side of opening 51 and has its opposite side provided with an extension 54, which as plate 52 is rocked intoeither one of its extreme positions, engages respectively one 'of the resili-v ent contact members 55 and 56 and moves it away from the corresponding stationary contact member 57 or 58 thereby breaking the electric signal circuit controlled by said contacts.

The end'of plate 52, disposed opposite to extension 54, is segmentally formed and is provided on its peripheral face with a series of V shaped'notches 59, 60, 61 respectively, engageable by a roller 62. This roller is carried by oneend of a resilient plate 63, the opposite end of which is fixed to a lateral extension 64 of a supporting' plate 65. Roller 62 imparts snap action to plate 52 and further serves to yieldingly hold said vplate in one Vof its three positions. Supporting plate or block 65 is preferably made of insulation material and has the switch mecha- Plate 52 ispreferably pivotallylmounted to one side of blocks 65 in spaced relation therewith. while contacts 55 and 56 and stationary contacts 57 and 58 are disposed on the opposite side of block 65, movable contacts 55.and 56 being provided with lateral extensions 55a and 56a disposed in the path of movement of extension 54 of plate 52.

A tamper switch 67 is interposed in the energizing circuit 68 with which contacts 55, 56 and 57 are associated. This tamper switch consists of a fixed contact 69 connected to one terminal of said circuit 68 and a spring contact 71 connected to contact 55. This spring contact 7l is normally disengagd from contact 69 and closes the circuit when said cap is in position. When, however, cap 45 is removed, contact 71moves away from contact 69 thereby opening circuit 68. A source of electrical current, such as a battery 72, is arranged in said circuit 68 and serves to energize a solenoid 64 which y is interposed in said circuit 68. This solenoid, whenenergized, maintains a contact awa-y from a stationary contact 76. These two contacts 75 and 76 are connected to the terminals of a signal circuit 77 and preferably connected to the same source of electrical energy 72.v A suitable signal 78, which in the present instance7 is shown in the form of an electric bell is interposed in circuit 77' and isadapted to be set in operation when the signal circuit 77 is closed. So long as tamper switch 67 and contacts 55, 56 and 57 are closed, solenoid 74 is active and holds contact 75 away from Contact 76 so that circuit 77 is open and signal 78 is inactive. However, as soon as circuit 68 is opened, either by moving one of the contacts 55-0r 56 away from contact 57, or by moving contact 71 away from Contact 69, solenoid 74 becomes de-energized allowing Contact 75 to move into engagement with contact 76, thereby closing circuit 77 and setting in operation lsignal 78. The operation of signal 78 will inform the operator that abnormal conditions exist in lthat particular tank so that he may investigate the causesv thereof.

Thus, :when the water in tank 10 rises above a predetermined level, float member Q0 occupies raised position (See Figure 3). The upward movement ofsaid member 20 causes lever 26 to rock on fulcrum 27 moving linger or pin 50 downwardly so that plate 52 occupies position shown in Figure 5, In this position, extension 54 moves contact 55 away l from stationary cont-act y57 thereby interrupting or opening circuit 68 and closing circuit 77, which lattersets in operation signal 7 8.

Similarly, if the water in' tank 10 falls below the predetermined level, circuit 68 will be opened, due to the fact that contact 56 is displaced by plate 52 which is rocked in opposite directions (see Figure 6) on account of` the Hoatable member 2O being depressed and parts associated therewith being actuated accordingly (see Figure 4).

The levels, at which iloatable member 2O operates lever 26, are spacedl suitable distance apart to provide a neutral zone during the occupation of which by'member 2O no action takes place. In this manner, minor variations in the level of the water do not operate the signal 78.

My improved gravity tank ioat device, is accurate in operation, is of compact construction so that it may be readily mounted in place, is safeguarded against tampering by unauthorized persons, and is so constructed as to reduce the danger of leakage from the tank through the device to minimum.

While I have shown the preferred form of my device, I am aware that my invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of my invention. /f

I claim:

l. A ioat device comprising a mounting attachable to a wall of a tank, a floatable member pivotally mounted on said mounting and adapted to be disposed within said tank, a lever fulcrumed iny said mounting and havingv one end operatively connected with said lioatable member, an electric switch'operable by the opposite end of said lever -in accordance with said oatable member.

2. A float device comprising a mounting attachable to a Wall of the tank and extendingthereinto, a floatable member disposed in said tank and pivotally mounted on said mounting, a lever fulcrumed on said mounting and operatively connected with said lloatable member at a point spaced from the pivot thereof and an electro-responsive sig` nal .means controlled by said lever in accordance with member.

3. A gravity float device comprising a mounting fixed to a Wall of a tank and opening thereinto, a floatable member disposed within said tank and pivotally mounted on the inner` end of said mounting, a lever fulcrumed on said mounting at a point spaced apart from said pivot and havingoperative engagement with said floatable member, and an electric switch carried by said mounting and operable by said lever in accordance with the movement of said floatable member.

y4. A gravity float device comprising a mounting, a {loa-table member pivotally the position of said floatable mounted on one end. of said/mounting, af

lever fulcrumed on the opposite end of said mountin and having one end operatively connecte to said floatable member at a point spaced from the pivot thereof, an

electric switch fixed in said mounting, and a connection associated with the opposite end of said lever and with said switch for actuating the' latter in co-relation with the actuation of said floatable member.

.\5. A gravity fioat device comprising a mounting, a floatable member operatively.- mounted on one end of said mounting, a lever operatively mounted at the opposite end of saidmounting andvhaving one end extending through said mounting for operative engagement with said fioatable member, a rigid member xed to the oppositel end of said lever, a casing secured to said mounting and enclosing said rigidV member and the fulcrum of said lever, and an electric switch disposed in said casing and operatively connected to said rigid member whereby said switch is actuated in accordance witli the actuation of said fioatable member.

6. A gravity fioat device comprising a mounting adapted to be fixed to a tank, a fioatable member pivotally mounted on one end of said mounting and adapted to be disposed within said tank, a lever fulcrumed on the opposite end of said mounting and having one end projecting beyond the pivot of said floatablamember for operative engagement with the latter, a rigid disk fixed to the opposite end of said lever, a tubular ficxible member secured at its ends to the opposed faces of said disk and said mounting. for hermetically sealing said lever, a casing secured to said mounting for enclosing said disk and said flexible member,

a signal circuit controlling switch disposed 1n said casing, and a projection extending from said disk and in engagement with said switchfor operating the latter in accordance ltOvith/the disposition of said fioatable mem- 7. A gravity float device comprising a mounting a floatable member movably carried by one end of said mounting, a lever fulcrumed at the opposite end of said mounting and having one end operatively connected to said floatable member, a rigid disk fixed to 'the' opposite end of said lever, a switch mechanism operable by said disk, and a flexible member hermetically attached to said disk for forming a fluid tight seal between said lever and said switch mechanism.

8. A. gravity float device comprising a mounting, a fioatable member movably. carried by one end of said mounting, a lever fulcrumed in said mounting and operable by said floatable member, a disk fixed to one end of said lever, a switch mechanism disposed in spaced relation with said lever, and a fiexible metallic member hermetically attached to saidl disk for forming a fluid tight seal between said lever and saidl switch mechanism. 1

9. A. gravity float Vdevice comprising a mounting, a floatable member movably carried by said mounting, a lever fulcrumed in said mounting and having one Aend operatively connected to said floatable member, a

disk fixed to the opposite end' of said lever,

.10. A gravity'float device comprising al mounting attachable to and extending into a tank, a fioatable member movably carried by said mounting and disposed within said tank, a lever. fulcrumed in said mounting and having one end operable by said floatable member, an imperforate rigid member carried by the opposite end of said lever and disposed laterally of the axisthereof, a fiex'- ible metallic member hermetically attached to said rigid member for hermetically sealing said tank and saidlever against atmosphere, and a signal mechanism controlled by said rigid imperforate member in accordance with the disposition of said fioatable member.

11. A float device for tanks comprising a hollow mounting attachable at one end to and opening into a tank, a floatable member pivotally mounted on said end of said mounting and disposed within said tank, a lever fulcrumed in said mounting .and having one end operatively connected to said floatable member, a rigid imperforate disk carried by the opposite end of said lever, a fiexible tubular member having its ends in sealing engagement with the opposed faces of said disk and said mounting for hermetically sealing said tank and said lever against atmosphere, and a signal mechanism operable by said disk in accordance with the movement of said floatable member.

l2. A float device for tanks comprising a hollow mounting attachable at one end to and opening into a tank, a fioatable member pivotally mounted on said end of said mounting and disposed within said tank, a lever fulcrumed in said mounting and having one end operatively connected to said floatable member, a rigid imperforate disk carried by the opposite 'end of said lever, a flexible tubular member having its ends in sealing engagement with the opposed faces of'said disk and said mounting for hermetically sealing said tank and said lever against atmosphere, an electric switch mechanism, and voperative connection between said disk and said switch mechanism for actuating the latter in accordance with the rise or fall of said floatable member.

13. A oat device for tanks comprising a hollow mounting attachable at one end to and opening into a tank, a floatable member pivotally mounted on said end of i said izo use

mounting and disposed within said tank, a lever fulcrumed in said mounting and having one end operatively connected to Asaid loatable member, a rigid imperforate disk carried by the opposite end of said lever, a flexible tubular member having its ends in sealing engagement with the opposed faces of said disk and said mounting for hermetically sealing said tank and said lever against atmosphere, a casing secured to the outer end of said mounting for enclosing said disk and said flexible member, an electric switch mounted insaid casing, and a pin l'ixed to and extending outwardly from the face oli said disk for actuating said switch mechanism in accordance with the movement oi said iloatable member.

14. In a gravity float device for tanks, the combination with a tank having an opening in one-of4 its walls, of ,a mounting having a tubular extension securedin said opening, a floatable member disposed in said tank and. movably mounted on said extension, a lever fulcrumed in said mounting r ing and extending into said tank, a

and having one end projecting through said tubular extension into said tank and operatively connected to said lloatable member, and a switch mechanism disposed exteriorly of said tank and operatively connected to said lever, whereby said switch is actuated by said lever in accordance with the movement of said lloatable member. y

15. Ina gravity float device for tanks, the combination ,with a tank having an opening in one of its walls, of a mounting Ihaving a tubular extension screwlseated in said openavity actuated lioatable member arranged 1n said tank and pivotally mounted on said extension, an electric s1gnal circuit, a switch for controlling said circuit and arranged exteriorly of said tank, and operative connections between said loatable member and vsaid switch for actuating the latter in accordance with the movement of said loatable member.

16. In a gravity float device for tanks, the combination with a tank having an opening in one of its walls, cfa mounting having a tubular extension screw seated in said opening and extending into said tank, a gravity actuated loatable member arranged 1n said tank and pivotally mounted on said extension, an electric signal circuit, a switch fog` controlling said circuit and arranged exteriorly of said tank, an imperforate member interposed in said operative connection, and

a flexible tubular member hermeticall attached to said tank and to said imper orate member for providing a seal between the interior of said tank and said switch.

17. In a attached to a wall` of a tank, a Hoatable member pivotally mounted on one end of said gravity float device for tanks, the combination of a mounting adapted vto be.

mounting and adapted to be disposed in said tank, a lever fulcrumed in said mounting and having operative connection with said lloatable member, and a switch mechanism secured to said mounting and operatively connected to said lever whereby said switch is actuated in accordance-with the movement of said floatable member.

18. In a gravity float device for tanks, the combination of a mounting adapted to be attached to a wall of a tank, a loatable member pivotally mounted on one end of said mounting and adapted to be disposed in said tank, a lever ulcrumed in said mounting and having operative connection with said loatable member, an imperiorate member fixed to one end of said lever, a flexible tubular member hermetically attached at its ends to the opposite faces of said member and said mounting to seal the leveropening in said mounting, and signal means controlled by said switch.

19. In a gravity idoat device for tanks, the combination with a tank having an opening in one ci its walls, ci a mounting having a v'tubular extension entering said tank through said opening, a gravity actuated doatable member pivotally mounted on said extension within said tank, a lever fulcrumed in said mounting and having one end projecting through said tubular extension into said tank and operatively connected to said floatable member, an imperforate member engageable by the opposite end of said lever, an electric switch mechanism operatively connected to said imperforate member, and a flexible member secured to said imperforate member for hermetically sealing said leverv and said tubular extension.

20. A float device comprising a mounting having an externally threaded tubular extension adapted to be screw seated in the wall of a tank, a tubular member disposed within said tubular extension, a pair oi' lugs projecting from the inner end of said tubular member into said tank, a lioatable member pivotally mounted on said lugs, a lever lcrumed on the opposite end of said tubular member and having one end extending therethrough into said tank, means for operativel connecting said end of said lever to said oatable member, a rigid disk coaxially carried by the opposite end of said lever, and an electric switch carried by said mountlng and operatively connected to said disk for actuation in accordance with the movements of said lloatable member.

21. A float device comprising a mounting having an externally threaded tubular extension adapted to be screw seated in a wall of a tank, a tubular member disposed within said tubular extension, a pair of lugs projecting from the inner end of said tubular member into said tank, a loatable member pivotally mounted on said lugs, a lever fulcrumed on the opposite end of said tubular member and having one end extending therethrough into said tank, means' for operatively connecting said end of said lever to said iloatable member, a rigid disk coaxially carried by the opposite end oit said lever,

and a tubular flexible member secured at its thereby,

ends respectively to said mounting and to said disk for hermetically sealing said lever and said tubular member.

22. In the device of the the combination with a signal circuit, of a switch therefor, a mounting adapted to be secured to the wall of a tank, a tubular member carriedby said mounting and extending into said tank, a doatable member disposed in said tank and pivotally mounted on one end of said tubular member, a lever fulcrumed on the opposite end of said tubular member and extending therethrough and operatively connected with said iioatable member, whereby said lever is actuated and operative connections between the opposite end of said lever and said switch for actuating the latter in accordance withthe movement of said iloatable member.

23. In the device of the class described, the combination with asignal circuit, of a switch therefor, a mounting adapted to be secured to a wall of a tank, a tubular member carried by said mounting and extending into said tank, a tloatable member disposed in said tank and pivotally mounted on onel end of said 4tubular member, a lever fulcrumed on the opposite end of said .tubular member and extending -therethrough and Voperatively connected with said oatable member, whereby' said lever is actuated thereby, operative connections between thev opposite end .of said lever and said switch for actuating the latter in accordance with the movement of said oatablemember, and

a tubular circumferentially convoluted member cooperative with said operative connections or enclosing and hermetically sealing said lever and said tubular member.

24. lln a device ot the class described, the combination with a tank, of a mounting attached thereto, a tubular member carried by said mounting and opening into said tank, a pair of lugs formed on the inner end of said tubular member, a 'gravity actuated tloatable member disposed 1n said tank and pivotally carried by said lugs, a lever fulcrumed adjacent to the oppositeend of said tubular member and having one end extending therethrough into said tank, an operative connection connecting said` end of said lever with said Hoatable member whereby' said lever is actuated thereby, an electric switch mechanism operable by the opposite end of said lever, and means hermetically interposed between said switch andy said tank, for sealing the latter.

25. ln a device of the class described, the

class described,-

i Y 1,725,2os

lever with said fioatable member, wherebyA said lever is actuated thereby, an electric switch mechanism operable by the 4opposite end of said lever, and a flexible tubular member secured to said mounting and interposed between Vsaid lever and said switch and cooperating therewith for forming a fluid tight seal therebetween. y

26. 'In a device ofthe class described,

the combination with a tank of a mounting attached thereto, a tubular member carried I by said mounting and opening into said tank, a pair of lugs formed on the inner end of said tubular member, a gravity actuated floatable member disposed in said tank', a shank secured at one end to said floatable member and having its opposite end bifurcated and pivotally lmounted on said lugs, a lever ulcrumed adjacent to the opposite end of said tubular member and having one end extending therethrough into said tank and operatively connected to said shank past the pivotal mounting thereof, whereby said lever is actuated in accordance with the movement of said ioatable member, and a signal circuit switch mechanism operable by the opposite end of said lever.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination with the tank, of a iioatable member pivotally disposed therein, an operative lever operable in said iioatable member land extending outwardly from said tank, a

signal circuit, and an electric switch for controlling said circuit and operable by said lever to open and close said circuit in accordance with the position of said doatable member.

28. ln a device ofthe class described, the combination with the' tank, of a iloatable member pivotally disposed therein, an operative lever operable in said loatable member and extending outwardly from said tank, a signal circuit, an electric switch for controlling said circuit and operable by said lever to open and close said circuit in accordance with the position of said iloatable member, and means cooperating with said lever and hermetically sealing the point of egress of said lever from said tank.

29. In a device of the class described, th combination with a tank, of a stationary mounting fixed thereto, a iioatable member arranged in said tank, an operative member I into said tank for operative engagement with said oatable member, a switch mechanism carried by said mounting and operable by said operative member in accordance with the movement of said oatable member, and and a tubular flexible member enclosing said operative member and cooperating therewith for hermatically sealing the point of egress from said tank.

30. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tank, of a stationary7 mounting fixed thereto and having an open tubular extension extending into said tank, a floatable member disposed in said tank and pivotally mounted on said end of said tubular extension, an operative member carried by said mounting and extending through said tubular extension into said tank, means for operatively connecting said operative means with said floatable member, a switch mechanism carried by said mounting and means for operatively intel-engaging the outer end of said operative means with said switch whereby the latter lis actuated. in ac cordance with the position of saidy loatable member, said means including a flexible member interposed between said switch and said operative member to forni a flulidtight joint therebetween.

l In testimony whereof I hereunto alix my signature this 12th day of January, 1928. CHARLES E. POTTER. 

